Anonymous hacks Trump's personal data, probe launched

WASHINGTON: Hacker collective 'Anonymous' today hacked and released most personal information of Republican presidential front-runner Donald Trump, including his cell number and social security number, prompting the US Secret Service to launch an investigation.

Anonymous, a loosely associated network of activist and hacktivist entities, has earlier this week declared "total war" on the Republican hopeful, calling his behaviour "deeply disturbing" and promising to "dismantle his campaign" and exposing to the public "what he doesn't want them to know".

Making good of their promise, Anonymous, today dumped on the internet Trump's personal information, including his cell phone number and his social security number, as well as his birthday, place of birth, and his legal counsel.

Meanwhile, the Secret Service has launched an investigation into the incident.

"The US Secret Service is aware of the Internet postings of Candidate Donald Trump's personal information. We are working with the Federal Bureau of Investigation in this matter," Secret Service spokesman told Time magazine.

Anonymous reportedly also posted the name and contact information of Trump's lawyer and the names of some of his family members.

"We need you to dismantle his campaign and sabotage his brand," said a person wearing the groups trademark Guy Fawkes masks in a Youtube video.

"We need you to shut down his websites, research and expose what he doesn't want the public to know," he said.

Anonymous has cited Trump's characterisation of Mexicans as "rapists", his mocking of a disabled reporter, and his insults against women as its motivation for cyber-attacks.